Sazerac Cognac rekindles golden age with trio of releases
Sazerac Company, the owner of Buffalo Trace, has unveiled three new expressions of Sazerac de Forge & Fils Cognac, including a 50-year-old.
Reconceptualised in 2019 by Sazerac, the Cognac brand carries forward the legacy of the 1782 domaine founded by Bernard Sazerac de Forge.
The house gained a reputation for refinement, shipping Cognac across Europe and America, and lending its name to the Sazerac cocktail in New Orleans. However, it began to fade in the late 19th century during the phylloxera epidemic.
Today, the estate in Segonzac, in the heart of Grande Champagne, employs organic practices and cultivates a diverse range of grape varieties.
Additionally, the estate curates rare, aged stocks from the region, inspired by the methods and character of pre-phylloxera Cognacs.
Sazerac de Forge & Fils has introduced three new small-batch expressions: XO, Grande Champagne Vintage 2000, and a 50-year-old Cognac.
The new releases are crafted from carefully selected aged stocks that are said to embody Domaine Sazerac de Segonzac’s mission of being ‘true to the vine’.
Each expression showcases the domaine’s commitment to varietal and regional diversity, utilising classic methods to revive the essence of Cognac’s golden age while also appealing to today’s connoisseurs.
Denis Lahouratate, cellar master of Sazerac de Forge & Fils, said: “At Sazerac de Forge, every expression is crafted with care to showcase the unique character of its carefully selected eaux-de-vie.
“Our blends are patiently shaped over time, developing complexity and depth. Others are released as vintages, capturing their singular qualities. In every case, the goal is the same: a Cognac that reveals individuality and artistry.”
Refined elegance
Jess Scheerhorn, vice president of Sazerac de Forge, explained: “Cognac’s richness lies not only in flavour, but also in the generations of knowledge behind its craft. We created these expressions for those who seek to experience Cognac the way it was originally intended in 1782.”
The first of the new releases, XO, has been aged for more than 20 years in French oak barrels. Bottled at 43% ABV, the flagship expression delivers notes of dried fruits, warm spice, and gentle, natural sweetness.
Sazerac de Forge XO is presented in a bottle tied with a satin blue ribbon, reviving the ‘Sazerac Blue’ hue that was once stamped on chinaware exported worldwide from the original Sazerac de Forge pottery house. It has a suggested retail price of US$149.99.
The brand’s first vintage, Grande Champagne Vintage 2000, reflects more than two decades of maturation in the chalk-rich soils of Cognac’s ‘most celebrated’ cru.
Offered at 44.8% ABV and retailing for US$449.99, the single harvest Cognac displays notes of ripe stone fruits, exotic florals, and delicate spice on the palate.
Sazerac de Forge 50-year-old is a blend of three vintage eaux-de-vie distilled in 1970, 1971, and 1974. Each vintage was hand-sealed in wax and left undisturbed for more than 50 years in small French oak barrels before being blended.
At 43% ABV, the rare Cognac reveals notes of dried fruits, stewed figs, and dates, complemented by warm spices, subtle tobacco, leather, and macadamia nuts, with hints of dark chocolate on the palate.
The 700ml decanter, crafted from curved crystal glass and featuring a matching lid, showcases the Sazerac de Forge family crest etched in gold, paying tribute to the original Cognac domaine. The 50-year-old spirit has a suggested retail price of US$3,999.
All three expressions are now available nationwide in select markets through the company’s US distributor networks.
A limited supply of the Sazerac de Forge & Fils Cognac portfolio is also available for purchase directly through Legacy de Forge’s new global platform powered by BlockBar.
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